Improvement in straps for handles of shovels



NITE@ STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. SAYRE, OF UTIOA, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN STRAPS FOR HANDLES OF SHOVELS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 30,428, dated October 16, 1860.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Beit known that I, CHARLES H. SAYRE, ot Utica, in the county of Oneida and State of New York, have invented a new and improved mode of constructing and applying the straps to the handles of iron shovels and spades; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof', reference being had tothe accompanyingdrawings, and to the letters otl reference marked thereon.

Straps for shovels and spades as heretofore constructed have been made ot' sheet metal, with holes drilled orpunched in them, through which rivets are passed, the ends of which are hammered or liattened down so as to form heads, by which the straps are tirmly secured to the blade and to the handle. Thus secured, the heads on the under side of the shovelhl-.rde offer great resistance to the entrance of the blade in the soil in using them, where itis hard and cohesive, until they are worn o". Once worn ott', they leave the straps loose on the blade, from which they become detached, while the heads of the rivets on the handlestraps seriously impede the free use ot' the hand on the handle.

The object of my invention is to remedy these defects; and it consists in the use of new and improved straps made of malleable cast-iron, on the inner side of which are cast approprinte pins, to serve as rivets by which to secure them to the shovel or spade blade and handle, they being riveted down into countersunk holes so as to leave no part of the head projecting above the surface ot' the straps. Thus constructed, no rivethead presents itself on the under side of the blade where it enters the hard ground7 or on the handle-straps to interfere with the free use of the hand, thus avoiding the evils resulting from the ordinary rivetheads projecting on the back or front of the shovel, and in other respects making a more perfect and durable article.

Figures 1 and 2 represent the two parts of the strapping as they appear after casting with the appropriate rivet-pins upon them. Fig. 3 shows these two parts in the relative positions which they occupy when clasping the handle.

Figs. 4. and 5 represent the complete shovel, the former with the back and the latter with the front side presented to the view.

The same letters refer to like parts in all the figures.

There are three long rivet-pins that pass through the4 handle. Two of these, a, and b, are cast upon the back strap, Fig. 1, and corresponding holes are cast at c d, Fig. 2, in the front strap for the outer ends of these pins. The other, e, Fig. 2, is cast on the front strap, and a corresponding hole,f, Fig. 1, is cast in the backstrap for the end otl this. When the parts are put together, clasping the handle, the two pins ,a and b on the back strap pass through the handle in the same direction and the pin c on the front strap in a contrary direction, and each is riveted down in appropriate eountersinks on the outside of the opposing strap. These rivetings are seen in the n'gures Showing the complete shovel, the two former at g h, Fig. 5, and the latter at i, Fig. 4. The short rivet-pins 7c, Fig. l, and l, Fig. 2, pass through the shovel-plate only, and are riveted do n on the opposite side. The rivetings of the pins It, Fig. 1, are seen at lc, Fig. 5. Those of the pins l, Fig. 2,-are beneath the shovelplate when the shovel is finished and entirely out of View, so that, as seen at m, Fig. 4, there are no rivet-heads or rivetin gs of points seen on the back of the shovel, the whole surface being left smooth and solid. Thus, although the shovel is strapped in a strong and durable manner, not arivet-head is seen, and the points of therivet-pins being riveted down in eountersinks cast for thepurpose, the whole surface of the connection is improved in strength, in durability, and in appearance.

What I claim as new in the manufacture of shovels and spades is-- Malleable cast-iron straps with pins formed on their inner sides, to serve as rivets, and countersunk holes on their outer sides, in the manner and for the purposes described.

CHAS. H. SAYRE.

Witnesses:

WM. BAKER, M. M. JoNEs. 

